These two postcards, c. 1910, show two perspectives of the bandstand at the Iowa State Fair Grounds. In the background of the first postcard, one can also see a nice shot of the Agriculture Building which well known to modern fair goers as the location of the annual butter cow exhibit. The second postcard looks toward the administration building.

1/18/2014

Background Information

An issue of the Greater Iowa magazine of 1914 provides a glimpse of the kind of musical entertainment that one might expect to hear at the annual State Fair around the time of these postcards. Where else but the Iowa State Fair might one go to the stock pavilion in order to enjoy a "high class" orchestra concert?

GREATER IOWA - EXTRA ISSUE - Des Moines, Iowa, August 20, 1914

IOWA'S GREAT ANNUAL MUSICAL FESTIVAL [p. 15]

Conway's band and quartet of singers; Henry and his band and lady soloist; Landers' Fifty-fifth Infantry Band of Clarinda; the National Association of Civil War Musicians constitute four splendid musical organizations which will play at the Iowa State Fair every day. In addition there will be three high class orchestras. Graham's concert orchestra will give daily concerts in the stock pavilion. Hutton's concert orchestra will give daily concerts in the agricultural building. Carl Quist's concert orchestra will give daily concerts in the exposition building.

Conway's Band [Syracuse, NY] and Quartet of Singers -- Conway's band, under the direction of Patrick Conway, made up of 40 high class musicians and having with them a mixed quartet of singers will give three beautiful concerts every day beginning Friday, August 28th. This famous band and quartet of singers will be heard in special concerts on Sunday. Patrick Conway is a famous leader and has been to the Iowa State Fair before where his band has always been popular. This year he has the best band in the history of his organization.

Henry and His Band [of Des Moines] -- Henry and his band with 40 musicians will give three brilliant concerts every day of the fair. Virginia Rankin, popular vocal soloist, who was so enthusiastically received at the Fair last year, will be with Henry's band again this year. Henry's band was so well received at the Iowa State Fair last year that the management has contracted again with them this year. The leader, T. Fred Henry, has prepared special programs for the Iowa State Fair.

Lander's Fifty-fifth Infantry Band of Clarinda -- Landers' Fifty-fifth Infantry Band, under the leadership of Geo. W. Landers, of Clarinda, will give three high class concerts each day at the Fair. This is one of Iowa's most popular bands. Mr. Landers has been a leader of high class bands in Iowa for many years. In addition to the morning concert given at the stand east of the stock pavilion, this band will play every afternoon at the race program and each evening at the big night show in front of the amphitheater.

Graham's Concert Orchestra -- This orchestra is always popular at the Iowa State Fair. Concerts will be given daily in the stock pavilion from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the morning and from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the afternoon.

Hutton's Concert Orchestra - Another of the popular orchestras is Hutton's Concert Orchestra which will give daily concerts in the agricultural building from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Quist's Concert Orchestra -- Carl Quist's Orchestra of Fort Dodge, is one of Iowa's successful musical organizations. This orchestra has been engaged to play every day, morning and afternoon, at the Exposition building. Morning concerts 9 to 11. Afternoon concerts 1:30 to 5.

Philharmonic Choir -- The Philharmonic Choir of 150 voices, including noted vocal soloists, will give a sacred concert Sunday evening from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the stock pavilion. The choir will be accompanied by Henry's Orchestra. The choir will be under the direction of Dean Frank Nagel.

National Association of Civil War Musicians -- This is a splendid organization of civil war musicians under the leadership of A. E. Metzger of Grundy Center, Iowa. The organization will play every day at the fair and will furnish music at the assembly tent on Soldier's day, Tuesday afternoon, September 1st, beginning at 1:30 p.m.